Portable hydraulic press



June 14, 1960 R. E. HERRSTRUM PORTABLE HYDRAULIC PRESS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Jan. 18, 1956 K071474815 CAP AND DIE HOLDER 1N VEN TOR. 17mm June14, 1960 R. E. HERRSTRUM 7 PORTABLE HYDRAULIC PRESS Filed Jan. 18, 19562 Sheets-Sheet 2 92 97 gfi United States Patent PORTABLE HYDRAULIC PRESSRudolph E. Herrstrnm, Rockford, Ill., assignor to Greenlee Bros. & Co.,a corporation of Illinois Filed Ian. 18, 1956, Ser. No. 559,866

'3 Claims. (Cl. 153-1) This invention relates to a press and, moreparticularly, to a hydraulic press particularly useful in a process forsplicing cables.

The general object of this invention is to provide a new and improvedhydraulic press.

A more specific object of this invention is to provide a new andimproved hydraulic press particularly adapted for clamping a splicingsleeve over the ends of cables to be joined together which is soconstructed and arranged as to be easily operated in a minimum of space.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improvedhydraulic press including a body portion, a piston movable in the bodyportion and carrying a first die and a top portion carrying a second dieadapted to be removably mounted on the body portion, the piston beingmovableby iiuid pressure from an external source to move said first dieinto clamping engagement with said second die.

One method of splicing the ends of two cables consists of placing theends of the cables in a splicing sleeve and then applying very highsqueezing pressure to the sleeve, thereby clamping it securely over theends of the cables. It has been the practice to use a hydraulic pressfor this clamping operation wherein the splicing sleeve is disposedbetween two dies, one die being movable in a first body portion of thepress towards and away from the other die fixed to a second bodyportion. As the finished spliced cable may be relatively endless orrigidly secured at each end, it is necessary that one body portion ofthe press be removable or separable from the other body portion so thatthe finished spliced cable may be removed from the press or .the pressfrom the cable.

In the past it has been the practice in such a press to hinge one of thebody portions to the other body portion to allow removal of the splicedcable. Where the ends of the two cables have to be spliced in arelatively confined area and, more particularly, where a very compactunit is required to preduce a tremendous pressure, as, for example, .onthe order of 60 tons, such a press construction is not suitable. Thisproblem has been solved by this invention vwherein a press constructionis disclosed in which the removable body portion of the press is sointerengaged with integral parts of the other body portion as to afiordgreat strength without excessive size and to permit ready opening of thepress in confined or restricted areas and without the need for specialor cumbersome tools. I

Thus, it is a further object of the present invention to provide a newand improved hydraulic press of compact construction having tworelatively movable die supporting portions provided with integral partsof great strength which are directly interengageable to allow full useof the press.

A further object of the invention is to provide a new and improvedhydraulic press of the character described wherein thedies are securelypositioned in their mountings but which may be readily removed therefromand replaced by another set of dies.

ice

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the followingdetailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings,in which:

Fig. l is a front elevational view of a press embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a right end elevational view of the shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertcial sectional view taken generally along theline 3-3 of Fig. 2 with the supporting stand omitted;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 3;and

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken generally along the line 66of Fig. 3.

While the invention herein described is in its preferred embodiment, itis not intended to limit the invention to the specific form andarrangement shown, it being contemplated that various changes may bemade by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit andscope of the appended claims.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, there is shown a hydraulic press havinga generally cylindrical body portion 1, a removable top portion 2rotatably interengaged with the body portion 1, a piston 3 slidablymovable in the body portion 1, a first or lower clamping die 4 carriedby the piston 3, and a second or upper die 5 mounted on the top portion2. Fluid pressure from an external source is transmitted to a workingsurface of the piston 3 through a coupling 6 and a fitting 7 to move thelower die 4 into clamping engagement With a splicing sleeve positionedbetween the dies 4 and 5. When the fluid pressure on the piston 3 isrelieved, resilient means moves the piston 3 and the die 4 away from thedie 5.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the bodyportion 1 is mounted on a tripod-like supporting structure 8 includingthree sloping legs 9, 10 and 11, braces secured therebetween such asbraces 12 and 13 and a supporting plate 14 secured to the upper ends ofthe legs 9, 10 and 11. The body portion 1 is supported on the plate 14and secured thereto by nut and bolt means (not shown).

The press shown in Figs. 1 and 2 includes a'handle 16 secured to thebody portion 1 by bolts 17 and 18 for convenience in carrying the pressfrom one location to another and a downwardly extending book 19 securedto the supporting plate 14 for moving the press by a hoist chain orrope. The press may also be used in an inverted position while beingsupported by the hook 19 from a hoist chain or rope, a cable to bespliced being inserted into the press from below the press.

As shown in Figs. 3 (with the structure 8 omitted), 4 and 5, the bodyportion 1 includes a lower cylindrical portion 20 defining a cylinder 21which is closed at its lower end by an integral end plate 22. The upperportion of the generally cylindrical body portion 1 is formed to definea pair of diametrically opposite elongated guides or support members 23and 24 extending upwardly from the lower portion 20 and parallel to theaxis of the body portion 1. These guides 23 and 24 are preferably formedintegrally with the cylindrical body portion 1. The guides 23 and 24each have formed therein longitudinally extending guide slots 25 and 26.

The piston 3 is slidable in the cylinder 21, annular sealing means 27being disposed between the piston 3 and the cylinder 21 in an annulargroove 28 formed in the cylinder. The piston 3 has a cylindrical bore 32formed in its lower end and a semi-cylindrical recess 33 formed in itsupper end bounded by flat piston end surfaces 34 and 35. A pair ofexternal diametrically opposite slots 30 and 31 are formed in the upperportion apparatus apparatus shown in generally r rant-a 3 is disposed inthe cylinder 21 with the slots 30 and 31 positioned opposite theguide'slots and26, respectively', so as to define vertically extendingrecesses a and A pair' of right angled -mem'ber's36 and 37 are securedto the end surfaces 34and 35 oftthe piston 3 and each has a dependingportion 36a and "37a, respect'tv'ely, substantially filling thevertically extending .recesses30a and 310 so asto provide guide, meansfor V the piston 3 in the guides '23 and 24. The members 36 v and '37each have a laterally extending portion 36b. and 37b, respectively,extending overand slightly beyond said piston end surfaces 34 and 35.fora purpose to be 7 further jdisclosed.

The die 4 has a clamping'eurface 38 and a semicylindrical 'surface- 39intersecting at its edges a pair of shoulders 40" and 41.

With this piston and die construction, the die 4 may be slidablypositioned in the semi-cylindrical recess 33 in the piston 3, thelaterally extending portions 36b and 37b of said angled-members 36 and37 engaging the die shoulders 40 and 41, respectively, to'hold the die 4in the recess .33.

To prevent lateral movement of the die, 4 in the recess 33, a finger 'ispivotably mounted on a pin 46 secured in arcuate slot 47 formed in thepiston 3 and opening into the 'semircylindrical recess '33. One end ofthe end of the piston bore 32'by abolt 80 and the other end are providedfor urging the die 4 away from the die 5 when the fluid pressure actingon the piston 3 is relieved. In the embodiment of the invention shown inFig; 3,-the resilient means comprises a coil spring 78 disposed in thepiston'bore 321having one end secured to a spring retaining member :79secured to the upper secured to a springretaining membeau secured to theend plate 22 of the body portion 1 bya bolt .82. v 4

'In a the operation of press, assuming? that "the top portion 2 is inclamping position on the body portion 1, a splicing sleeve enclosing theends'of t'vvb cables to be joined togetheris disposed between the dies 4and 5. A control means associated'w'ith the external fluid pressuresource is actuated, directing fluid under pressure into the cylinder 21,thus causing the die 4 to be moved upwardly towards the die 5 so as toclampthe splicingfs'leeve-over the, ends of the cables, When the fluidpressure is relieved the spring 78 moves the die 4 away from the die 5.In such a cable splicing operation it is the usual procedure tojclarnpthe splicing sleeve at several positions along the length of thesplicing sleeve. When the cable splicing operation is completed, the topportion, 2 must be removed or separated fromf'the body finger 45 isurged by a spring48 into a centrally located circumferential groove 49formed in the semi-cylindrical. surface 39 of the die 4. To release thedie 4 from the action of the finger 45 so that the die 4 may be slidablyremoved from the recess'33' and replaced, the other end of the finger 45is disposedgin'a beveled groove 50 formed in a laterally shiftablereleaseshaft 51 which is disposed in a bore- 52 in the piston 3 and hasa portion extending outwardly from the piston 3 so as to be manuallyshiftable by an operator.

The removable topportion 2carrying the mating upper clamping die 5includes an upper die holder 55 and a cap member 56 bolted to the uppersurface of the die holder 55. The cap member 56 has arcuate edgeportions 57 and 58 adapted to fit over the upper ends of.

the upstanding portions 23 and 24 and a handle portion 56'. The upperdie holder 55 has a downwardly opening semi-cylindrical recess 59adapted to receive the die 5 which has a clamping surface 60 and amating semicylindrical surface 61.' The die 5 is removably mounted V onthe die holder 55 in the same manner that the die 4 is mounted on thepiston 3, including die retainers 62 and 63 engageable with shoulders onthe die 5, and a finger 64 pivotably mounted in a slot 65 formed in thedie holder 55 and opening into therecess 59, urged into acircumferential groove 66 formed in the semi-cylindrical die surface 61by a spring 67 and releasable therefrom by a'laterally shiftable releaseshaft 68.

To :interen'ga'ge the top portion 2 to the balance of the press, aninternal horizontally extending arcuate recess or groove 69 is formed ineach of said upstanding guides 23 and '24. A pair of horizontallyextending projections or lugs 70 are formed on the die holder 55 andadapted to slidably iii in the grooves 69. These directly 'interengagingparts of the top and body portions are integrally formed and designedand constructed to have great strength so as to withstand the tremendouspressure to which they are subjected;.

' When thetop portion 2 isassemoledto the portion 1' with the dies 4'and5 in clamping alignment,

ifluid pressure means are provided to move the die 4 pintoclampingfengagement with the die 5"to clamp a splicing. s'leevedisposedytherebetween over the ends of 'two cablesto :be joinedtogether; in the embodiment shown inthe 'driawings,rthe iiuidpressure istransmitted froman external source through'the coupling 6, passage meansand 76 formed-in the fitting 7, a bore 77 formedin the end plate 22 ofthe body member 1 and into the bore 32 formed in the piston 3. Resilientmeans portion 1 so that the spliced cable may he removed from the press.The" top portion 2fis removed. by rotating has indicated by ,arrow83awith respect' to the body portion 1 untilthe projections 70 thereonjdisengage the lateral grooves 69 so that the topjportion 2 may be raisedupwardly between; the; guides 23 and 24. To again assemble thetop-portiong2 on the body portion 1 for another cable splicingoperationgthe top portion 2 is turned'so jthat theprojections 70 aredisposed lengthwise of he grooves '69 and the the holder '55 is loweredbetween the supporting portions23 and '24. When the upper edges 57 and158 of the topportion 2 come into contact with theupper'ends of thesupport members 23 and 24 so that the top portion .2 is supportedthereon, the top portion 2 is rotated approximate- 1y as indicated by'arrow 83a'to 'interen'gage the pro .jections 70 in the grooves '69, thuspreparing the press for another clamping operation. p,

To assure properclamping alignment of the die 5 with respect to the die4, releasable catch means are provided to positively'locate the top 2 onthe body portion 1 with the die Sin clamping alignmentwith the die 4.The releasable catch meansfinc'lu'cle'a trigger 86 disposed in adownwardly extending groove 87 for-media one end of the cap '56 andpivotably mounted on a pin '88 secured in the cap 56 and intersectingthe groove 87. One end 89 of the trigger 86 .is adapted to, engage anarcuate notch 90 formed in the outcrqilpper edgeof the guide 23, asimilar notch 91 v'being' fcirme'd inthe outer upper edge of the guide24. The end 189 the trigger '86 is urged into either the notch 90 orthefnotchj91, depending upon which direction the top 2 is rotatablyfengaged with the body, portion .1, .by'a plunger 92 slidably mounted ina bore 93 .=forn'led in the .has'ebf the groove 87 and :urged bya;spring.94;against the other end 95 of the trigger 86. 'The end 95 ofthe trigger 86 has a portion projecting out of the groove 87 so astobeconveniently manipulated by a pressperat or grasping the handleportion 56' .to disengage the trigger sd irom the notch in which itisengagedto permit rptary disengagement of the top {from thehody portiomh;,ltis noted that the trigger .86. must also be manipulated enthe top .2is being rotatably enga e i .QY;P:Q fi T k ep the. t p .2 and ith ho rprtion; 11 ge when the top 2 is disengaged from the body portion 1, .a.steelcable 96 is, connected therebetween, oneend being secured to the.body portion .1 :by, mtheiholt andthe other :end being securedinanrecess Bil-"term 'nthe top 2. I J r y 4. QT

1, A hydraulic press comprising; a cylindrical body member having acylinder formed therein, 'a piston slidably mounted in said cylinder, afirst clamping die mounted on one end of the piston, a pair of elongatedarcuate supporting portions extending longitudinally from one end ofsaid body member in diametrically opposite relationship and having endsurfaces, said supporting portions having a pair of aligned arcuatetransverse slots formed one each on the inner surfaces of said portionsand extending the width thereof, guide surfaces on said inner surfacesextending lengthwise of said supporting portions for guiding themovement of the piston and terminating adjacent said arcuate slots, adie holder adapted to be removably supported on said supportingportions, a second clamping die rigidly mounted in said die holder, saiddie holder having a generally elongated top portion including a pair ofextending arcuate edge portions adapted to overlie said end surfaces ofsaid supporting portions, the width of said holder being slightly lessthan the distance between said supporting portions and substantiallyequal to the width of said supporting portions, a pair of elongatedarcuate projections on said die holder extending for the width of saidholder and spaced from said arcuate edge portions so as to be inalignment with said arcuate slots in said supporting portions when saidedge portions engage said end surfaces, said die holder being rotatableto a first position to engage said arcuate projections in said slotswith a maximum area of contact to assemble said die holder to said bodymember with the second die in clamping alignment with said first die,and with the die holder being rotatable to a second position todisengage said arcuate projections from said slots to allow removal ofthe due holder from said body member, manually releasable cooperatingmeans on said holder and said supporting portions for locking saidholder on said supporting portions with said second die in clampingalignment with said first die comprising a notch formed on the outeredge of the end of a supporting portion adapted to be engaged when thedies are in alignment by a spring urged releasable trigger carried onsaid die holder in a position to be manually moved away from said notch,and means for connecting the cylinder to a source of fluid underpressure to move the piston-mounted first die toward said second die fora clamping operation.

2. A hydraulic press comprising; a member having a cylinder formedtherein, a piston slidably mounted in the cylinder, a die holdersupported above the piston, supporting means for releasably holding saiddie holder, recess means on said die holder and the end of the piston, apair of mating clamping dies slidably fitted and confined one in each ofsaid recess means and having a groove on the inner surface adjacent saidrecesses extending normal to the sliding movement of said dies, meansdefining a slot in said die holder and a slot in said piston, each ofsaid slots opening into one of said reesses, a finger pivotably mountedin each of said slots, one end of each of said fingers beingspring-urged into said die grooves to lock said dies in said recesses,and a pair of release shafts, one of said shafts being movably mountedin a bore formed in said'piston normal to and intersecting one of saidrecess slots, the other of said shafts being movably mounted in a boreformed in said die holder normal to and intersecting the other of saidrecess slots, both of said shafts having ends extending 6 to the ends ofsaid bores for manual manipulation, the other end of each of saidfingers being disposed in a beveled notch formed in each of said releaseshafts, said shafts being manually shiftable in said bores to pivot saidfingers out of said notches to permit said dies to be removed from saidrecesses.

3. A portable hydraulic press for compressing a sleeve on a long cablecomprising, in combination, a twopart body detachably connected togetherfor supporting opposed dies for movement relative to each other tocompress a sleeve about the cable extended within the body and separableto permit removal of the body from the cable, one part of said bodybeing generally U-shaped and formed at its bottom with a cylinder, apiston slidable in said cylinder with an end having means adapted tocarry a first outwardly facing die, a pair of relatively wide integralsupport members extending upwardly from the bottom of said one part indiametrically opposed relation to form the legs of said U-shaped bodypart and spaced apart a distance to permit insertion of a sleevetherebetween and to extend adjacent thereto, the other part of said bodyhaving a generally rectangular shape and of a length to span saidsupport members and of a width substantially equal to the distancebetween the support members, said other body part having means adaptedto removably hold a second downwardly facing die between said supportmembers in opposing relation to said first die, whereby the piston maytravel upwardly to move the first die toward the second die to compressa sleeve therebetween, means for detachably connecting said parts of thebody together including interengaging elongated arcuate \grooves andelongated arcuate projections formed one on the inner face of eachsupport member adjacent the free end thereof and the other on each endof said other part of the body, whereby the other body part may beinserted between the support members lengthwise thereof to align theprojections and grooves and the parts turned relative to each other tointerengage the grooves and projections with a large area of contacttherebetween, with the dies aligned for compressing operation and withthe second die aligned for removal between the legs of said U-shapedbody part and coacting means outwardly of the cylinder on said pistonand support members terminating at a distance from the free ends of thesupport members for confining the piston against rotation to maintainthe first die in alignment, and coacting means on one of the supportmembers and the other body part for indicating proper rotationalalignment of the second die with the first die and for releasablyholding said body parts against rotation relative to each other.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS676,292 Wigtel June 11, 1901 2,455,826 Temple Dec. 7, 1948 2,566,000Temple Aug. 28, 1951 2,568,054 Clapp Sept. 18, 1951 2,578,021 SandbergDec. 11, 1951 2,652,170 Lotter Sept. 15, 1953 2,761,339 Lazar et al.Sept. 4, 1956 2,762,414 Demler Sept. 11, 1956 2,792,853 Hardy May 21,1957 2,869,407 Swanson Ian. 20, 1959

